13 Facts About Evelyn Ruggles-Brise

Sir Evelyn John Ruggles-Brise was a British prison administrator and reformer, and founder of the Borstal system.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise's family have deep roots in Essex, having been based at Spains Hall in Finchingfield since the house was bought by Samuel Ruggles, a clothier, in 1760.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise's father was Conservative MP for East Essex from 1868 to 1884.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise was educated at home and at a private school near Hitchin, before attending Eton from 1869 to 1876 on a scholarship.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise read Mods and Greats at Balliol College, Oxford, graduating with a first in 1880.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise came sixth in the civil service exam, and became a clerk in the Home Office in 1880.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise was Principal Private Secretary to four Home Secretaries, William Harcourt, Richard Cross, Hugh Childers, and Henry Matthews.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise travelled to the US in 1897 to study the American reformatory system, visiting Zebulon Brockway's Elmira Reformatory.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1899.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise was advanced to a Knight Commander of the order in the 1902 Coronation Honours list published on 26 June 1902, and invested as such by King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace on 24 October 1902.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise wrote The English Prison System, published in 1921, and Prison Reform at Home and Abroad, published in 1924.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise remarried on 6 June 1933, to Sheelah Maud Emily Reade, daughter of Captain the Hon.

Evelyn Ruggles-Brise died of throat cancer in Peaslake in Surrey, survived by his second wife.